A jazzy night of art and music

Eye on Arts and Entertainment

We’re in the thick of the holiday season. This year has been

exciting -- I got to experience my first Hanukkah with friends, which

was really neat.

Celebrating the holidays is a bit different every year, changing

with a new perspective or mind-set as experiences and circum- stances

evolve.

LAGUNA ART MUSEUM SIZZLES

Saturday night, the Laguna Art Museum had a special night of

esteemed American impressionists mixed with music -- contemporary

jazz and world music -- to create a fun evening called “Impressions

of America: A Journey in Music and Art.”

Local 9-year-old Native American flute prodigy Evren Ozan

performed, as did Grammy nominee David Arkenstone. Evren said he was

looking forward to being in the company of esteemed musicians and was

grateful to the museum for inviting him to play.

“Last Saturday was the first of what we hope will be a series of

collaborations with Saddleback College-based KSBR-FM 88.5,” said

museum director Bolton Colburn. “In addition to the terrific music,

which more than complemented our current exhibits, both the Museum

and KSBR ended the evening with a number of new admirers.”

For more information about upcoming events and exhibits, call

494-8971 or go online to www.lagunaaermuseum.org.

HO HO HOSPITALITY NIGHT

Seeing Santa arrive via firetruck to City Hall is definitely one

of the highlights every year during Hospitality Night, as is the

countdown to light the pepper tree.

The bagpipers are a crowd favorite. This year at Hobie Sports, a

huge crowd of kids gathered, digging the karaoke, watching their

peers sing and having tons of fun. It was good to see the rescued

greyhounds playing their roles as reindeer.

The marching band performing on Forest Avenue drew a nice crowd,

while throngs of little ones lined up to see Santa. It was fun to

visit all the stores that had their spreads out for Lagunans to

enjoy.

Hospitality night was indeed quite hospitable.

FINAL WEEKEND FOR SAWDUST WINTER FANTASY

It’s the final weekend for the Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy.

If the holiday spirit hasn’t hit you yet, the Winter Fantasy will get

you in the mood. They have thousands of lights, holiday decorations,

Christmas trees, real snow and Santa. Plus, there are 160 artists who

have designed their boots in the season’s motif. Every art medium can

be found, which is great when looking for one-of-a-kind holiday

gifts.

“I’ve seen people as they’ve just walked in, to see their

expressions and to hear them say, ‘Wow, it’s great to see everyone so

enthused,’” said Rebecca Meekma, media relations.

Entertainment abounds with carolers the Christmas Belles, the

Laguna Beach High School Jazz Band, the Scarlett Sisters, who perform

acrobatics, the Laguna Presbyterian Hand Bell Choir, Lil’ Dickens

Carolers and more.

“This has been a wonderful year, with the most exhibitors ever,

and very well attended,” Meekma said. “It’s been a great show

overall, with great shopping and great entertainment.”

The Sawdust Festival, at 935 Laguna Canyon Road, is open from 10

a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults, $2

for children older than 5 and free for children 5 and younger. For

more information, call 494-3030 or go online to

www.sawdustartfestival.org.

WOODY’S RAISES MORE THAN $12,455 FOR LAGUNA SHANTI

Woody’s at the Beach raised more than $12,455 for Laguna Shanti

AIDS Resource Center at their fifth annual Holiday Wreath Auction on

Dec. 2.

Local artists, businesses and individuals donate their creations

each year. In the past five years more than $50,000 in funds has been

contributed to Laguna Shanti.

“It was a great event. We had a wonderful response and we’re very

happy,” said Alford Harrison, Woody’s media relations. “We had some

beautiful wreaths designed by the business community and Laguna

residents. It was a great showing. They went all out for this.”

These funds have helped Laguna Shanti continue to provide

personalized therapy programs, individualized services, home-delivery

meals, wellness activities and more. For the year, Woody’s has raised

more than $75,000 for charities. Woody’s at the Beach is at 1305 S.

Coast Highway. For more information, call 376-8809.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.